Osaka-based company Koushi Chemical Industry Co. presents a new way to address the flux of discarded scallops and shellfish with the Shellmets. The company collects the shells and turns them into functional protective gear, noting that Japan generally consumes a large amount of shellfish. This results in the amount of shell waste, often leaving the shells on the ground, which allows the Shellmet to come to fruition.
The idea blends the waste with recycled plastic to create ‘Shellstic.’ This material is then used to create the helmet, complete with a ribbed structure at the top that replicates the look of a scallop shell and adds more strength than a regular hard hat. It is designed by Shintaro Moden, offering five colors that represent the ocean — “Coral White, Sunset Pink, Sand Cream, Ocean Blue, and Deep Black.”
Image Credit: Koushi Chemical Industry Co.
